Stress Reduction Techniques

Stress reduction techniques recommended by numerous stress management training programs include:

meditation

yoga

visual imagery

muscular relaxation

aerobic exercise

listening to music

Some of these stress reduction techniques may be beneficial for your stress management. Please remember, some techniques may be effective for you but not for others.  

Begin to include at least one of these techniques into your regular routine.  You could bring an iPod to work and take a 15 minute break by relaxing in your chair, closing your eyes and listening to music.  (Stay off the computer during your break!!)  If you are able, you could take a 15 minute walk outside on your break, incorporating 2 stress reduction techniques - aerobic exercise and listening to music. 

On weekends, give yourself time to relax.  If your schedule is so full that you don't have a minute to breath, then you will need to add scheduled breaks to your calendar...and make sure you keep those "appointments" because they may end up being the most IMPORTANT appointments you'll ever have.

Choose Wellness!

Stressors for Counseling Students

Graduate school can be a wonderful experience; however, it can also become a stressful experience for students juggling academics, jobs, internships, families, finances, health issues, etc...!  Categories of student stress include competition, organization of time, administrative concerns,  instruction, finances and adjusting to a new social environment.  Grades, exams and studying can be the most critical stressors.  In addition to academic stress, graduate counseling students must also devote time and energy to complete practicum and/or internships necessary for graduation.   With all these stressors, self-care can take a back seat.  Counseling graduate students spend years learning how to help others in the therapeutic process but can neglect their own needs.  Students can become proactive in preventing stress-related and lifestyle-related chronic disease by becoming their #1 Client in utilizing self-care strategies to develop a holistic and healthier lifestyle.  Will you choose to become your #1 Client??

Choose Wellness!